Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Weekend outlook

Friday, June 7, 2013 by:Frank Juliano
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Goodbye Andrea. And, thanks for the rain that we needed to end the drought (if we really had one at all).

Fortunately, Andrea was a lady because she blew out of here quickly leaving us with a nice weekend.

It will be partly sunny with no rain. Sunday will be even better with mostly sunny skies and temps into the 80s. Sweet!

And all those weekend festivals and events will go on as scheduled … rain free.

Check out Christina Hennessey’s Out and About blog post for an awesome collection of things to do and see. You can find it here.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection officials say that all 24 bathing beaches, including the four on Long Island Sound, will be open to bathers. See the full list here: Beach report

Here’s what you can expect to find in the state’s lakes and rivers, and in Long Island Sound. Remember that licenses are required, even for salt-water fishing.

Fishing report

How will it be on Long Island Sound? Here is the latest data from the National Weather Service, go here: Marine forecast

This is an excellent opportunity to check out the state’s many museums and historic sites, Saturday is the 9th Annual Open House Day sponsored by the state tourism office. There are free tours, free admission and special programs at more than 100 venues.

The Fairfield Museum and History Center will offer free admission from noon to 4 p.m. You can also get a backstage tour of the Goodspeed Opera House, right on the Connecticut River in East Haddam. The Victorian theater has hosted stage luminaries from the 1870s to — after a brief intermission in the mid-20th century — the stars of today.

William Gillette famously portrayed Sherlock Holmes at the Goodspeed, and built his “Castle” not far away. You can tour that too. For the full list of participating museums and sites, go here: Open House Day.

Speaking of famous Williams, Capt. William Kidd the pirate will be remembered in Milford’s annual Captain Kidd Day Treasure Hunt. He may have visited Milford enroute to his fateful trial in Boston in 1699, and rumor says he buried some of his loot there. Kidd Day is on Sunday . Get your treasure map here.

While the Yankees are on their extended West Coast road trip, the New York Mets will host the lowly Miami Marlins for day games on Saturday and Sunday at 1:10 p.m. For tickets and more information, go here for New York Mets.

Our own Bridgeport Bluefish will play two games against the Lancaster Barnstormers, at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday and 1:05 p.m. on Sunday.

The Stratford Police Department will set up a sobriety checkpoint in that city over the weekend, said Lt. Frank Eannotti, the department spokesman. It is part of the department’s summer-long DUI enforcement effort.

 

Diane Keaton, Michael Douglas filming new movie in Bridgeport

Thursday, June 6, 2013 by:Scott Gargan
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Diane Keaton And Kay Saatchi Host A Party For Matthew Rolston's New Book "Talking Heads, The Vent Haven Portraits"Electrolux At "Behind The Candelabra" PremiereHollywood is coming to Fairfield County yet again.

Actors Diane Keaton and Michael Douglas are in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport rehearsing for a new movie, “And So It Goes.”

“We combed the entire coastline, from Rhode Island to Port Chester, looking for a multi-family on the water” before finding the perfect property in Bridgeport, Frank Trotta, the location scout for the Castle Rock Entertainment film, told the Connecticut Post Wednesday.

Directed by Rob Reiner, the romantic comedy tells the story of an ego-centric man (played by Douglas) whose life is turned upside-down when he’s introduced to the granddaughter he didn’t know he had,” according to IMDB. Keaton plays his neighbor.

The crew will film in Bridgeport for a total of 17 days from June 19 to July 12.

Keaton is no stranger to the region: she was in Greenwich two years ago, filming “The Big Wedding” alongside Robert Deniro, New Canaan natives Katherine Heigl and Topher Grace, Susan Sarandon and Robin Williams.
Douglas, who last starred in “Behind the Candelabra,” a film about the life of pianist Liberace, recently raised eye brows when he suggested that his throat cancer was caused by oral sex.

 

Lisa Lampanelli special guest at Stratford musical revue

Thursday, June 6, 2013 by:Joe Meyers
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lisa1After a season of shows at the Bijou Theatre in Bridgeport, the Park City Players are getting into the dinner theater business with two benefit performances at Vazzano’s Four Seasons in Stratford on Friday, June 7.

Comedian Lisa Lampanelli will be a special guest.

The twist here is that the dinner shows won’t be those 1970s-era belly-busting mixes of theater and an all-you-can buffet, but a more health conscious affair.

Shelton director Nancy Lessard is putting together a musical revue made up of romantic songs and scenes that she is calling “True Love Doesn’t Weight,” which will be a fundraiser for the Obesity Action Coalition.

Lampanelli, who is Lessard’s sister, will be at the show to talk about her weight loss surgery.

“The show will be a variation on the ‘Great American Love Songs’ show we did at the Bijou,” Lessard said, adding that the owner-operator of the Stratford restaurant has been asking her to do a Park City Players show there for a long time.

Reservations can be made by calling 203-880-5000. Tickets are $50 which includes the meal and the show.

Mark Twain House turns summer “spooky” with popular tours

Wednesday, June 5, 2013 by:Christina Hennessy
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We are still months away from the traditional season for ghost tours and other haunted happenings, but the Mark Twain House & Museum will hold a series of “Graveyard Shift” ghost tours, open to the public, in the early days of summer.

The tours, which will run June 28 and 29, have been popular events in the past, bringing visitors to the places where apparitions, unexplained smells and sounds and other odd phenomena have been reported. Back in 2009, the Hartford homestead was featured on Syfy Channel’s “Ghost Hunters.” You can see a clip of that appearance above. It also has appeared on other paranormal shows, including the Biography Channel’s “My Ghost Story.”

As you roam the mansion, including the basement, you will hear about the home’s famous inhabitant, author Mark Twain (“Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”), who lived in the home with his family from 1874 to 1891.

Tours take place on the hour beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m., each day. Tickets are $20, $16 for members and $13 for children 16 and under. Tours are not recommended for those under 10. Organizers urge those interested to call early, as the tours tend to fill up quickly. Call 860-280-3130.

If you can’t make the tours, the house, which is a National Historic Landmark, and museum are open to the public Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 12 to 5:30 p.m.

Stamford youth entrepreneur scores investment on ‘Shark Tank’

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 by:Scott Gargan
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Ryan Kelly was asking for $25,000 in exchange for 25 percent of his business.

At first, none of the judges on ABC’s “Shark Tank” seemed willing to fork up the dough.

“$25,000 is a lot of money and with all that money comes a lot of responsibility,” investor Mark Cuban said. “It would be very difficult when you’re still in school . . . to put that money to work.”

Robert Herjavec took a pass as well. So did Daymond John and Kevin O’Leary.

That left the future of Kelly’s business up to Barbara Corcoran. Her offer made Kelly’s ears stand on end.

“I’d like to make you the full price offer, cause I think this has the potential to be a very big business, very quickly,” Corcoran said, adding that Kelly wouldn’t have to pay her back in full until his 13th birthday.

“You’ve got a deal!” Kelly replied.

And with that, Kelly — the 11-year-old owner of Ryan’s Barkery, a line of premium, all-natural, homemade dog treats — had secured the investment to take his business to the next level.

Opening Ryan’s Barkery in March 2012, Kelly has made more than $900 selling his dog treats door-to-door, at his lacrosse practices and at the monthly pet adoption events hosted by STARelief and Pet Assistance, a Stamford-based pet rescue organization to which he donates a portion of his profits.

Dogs can sink their teeth into one of three flavors: Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Apple and Low-fat Cheddar. An 8 ounce bag of dog treats sells for $9.50.

Kelly was inspired to bake the treats after being put off by a brand of processed dog biscuits that he and his mom, Daniela, had purchased for his rescue dog Barkley.

“After we adopted Barkley, we went shopping for dog treats and found that they smelled horrible,” Kelly told the investors on “Shark Tank.” “They couldn’t possibly taste fresh and be wholesome.”

He added of his own treats: “They’re so fresh they should be slapped!”

Asked by O’Leary about the future of his business, Kelly didn’t hide his ambitions.

“I see stores with my treats in them and websites where people can develop orders and we fulfill them,” he said.

Watch the episode of “Shark Tank” here (Kelly’s segment comes at around the 3:30 mark).

Out and about: Things to see and places to be this weekend

Friday, May 31, 2013 by:Christina Hennessy
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In a matter of hours, Norwalk’s Crystal Theatre will be getting their 25th anniversary under way, which will feature alumni who made the successful leap from local stages to venues far and wide. Cheryl Kemeny, the nonprofit community theater program’s co-founder, said in a recent article that she was looking forward to the reunion. Others likely will be too. For ticket information, visit the organization’s website.

This is just one of many events taking place throughout our area. For instance, one can find places to listen to music, reminisce, help raise funds or watch a tale of inspiration.

When it comes to music, Stratford native and winner of the first season of NBC’s “The Voice, Javier Colon, will host the Barnum Festival’s first “Got Talent” vocal competition for middle school students at Klein Memorial next week. Moe will be in Danbury. 4ontefloor will perform in New Haven. Gary Louris, The Machine Unplugged and Devon Allman Band will be swinging through Fairfield this weekend. The Bacon Brothers come together in Ridgefield. A number of summer concert series begin, too, including ones in Fairfield and Seymour. If you still want more music, you can check out some classical selections from Cypress Ensemble or enjoy some jazz in Greenwich or Stamford.

If you are in the mood to look back, the Nelson twins, Matthew and Gunnar, will be in Westchester County, N.Y., with a show that celebrates the life and music of their late father Ricky Nelson. If you want to help to raise funds for Dana’s Angels Research Trust, you can enjoy the sounds of the Beach Boys in Stamford. If you want to see perseverance and hope in the face of a debilitating medical condition, make sure to check out “Gutless & Grateful” at the Bijou.

Those who love theater may choose from “West Side Story” in New Haven, “8″ in Stamford, “Becoming Dr. Ruth” in Hartford. “Dreamgirls” in Waterbury, “Lucky Me” in New Haven and “I Do! I Do!” in Ridgefield.

The weekend just keeps churning out more things to do, however. You can enjoy an ice cream social in New Canaan or  the Pop Shop Market in Fairfield. Gardens won’t stay too hidden this weekend in Westport. Or, check out some local dancers when the Ballet School of Stamford presents “Peter and the Wolf” and “Don Quixote Suites.”

The Mercurial Gallery will veer a bit from the season and feature a Halloween-inspired show. In Easton, a show inspired by the Newtown tragedy opens. In Norwalk, the Center for Contemporary Printmaking will be celebrating a miniature print exhibition.

There’s bound to be something that inspires a trip out of the house. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy.

Until next time …

Stamford comic performs with WWE’s Mick Foley in New York City

Friday, May 31, 2013 by:Christina Hennessy
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DSC_8400Celebrities Visit Sirius XM StudioFor the past year and a half, Stamford resident Jenifer Bloodsworth (right) has immersed herself in the New York City comedy scene, gaining skills in improv, sketch comedy and stand-up. On Sunday, June 2, that work will get a boost when she does her first big show at Carolines on Broadway in New York City.

“I’m very fortunate that at this point in my career, I am getting this chance,” she said during a recent interview.

Carolines, which opened its doors more than 30 years ago, has become one of the most well-known stand-up comedy clubs in the United States, routinely featuring the top names in comedy.
The June 2 show will have her reuniting with a former coworker, of sorts, when WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Mick Foley (who also is a best-selling author, comic and performer) makes his New York City headlining debut.

“This is a special show for me,” she said, noting that she first met Foley (pictured below) while working at Stamford-based WWE. “I am touched and flattered that he thought enough of me and my work.”

Bloodsworth first worked with Foley while serving as a writer for the wrestling and entertainment giant. Having studied television writing at Boston’s Emerson College, she said she enjoyed the opportunities she had at WWE, where she worked five years before taking a shot at comedy.

“It was a great experience … but I felt it was time to put something new into the toolbox,” she added.

In the 18 months since she left, Bloodsworth, 36, said she has been learning the ropes with the hopes of rising through the ranks to become a comedy writer. Still, she said the experience has revealed to her how much she also likes to perform.

“In a sense, I found performing a lot easier than I expected and I found writing a lot more challenging than I thought it would be,” she said. “But it was a whole new way of writing and thinking about writing.”

In addition to her stand-up work, she also participates in the People’s Improv Theater house sketch team National Scandal, and the Upright Citizens Brigade improv teams Florence, Dam Science and Flesh & Blood. She also performed at The Chicago Women’s Funny Fest.

Bloodsworth said she likes to push herself when it comes to her creativity.

“I loved the people I worked with there,” she said of her time at WWE. “But as with any sort of creative person, you need to push yourself out of the comfort zone to grow.”

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Click here for ticket prices and other show information.

Gov’t Mule, moe. kick off Ives concert series in Danbury

Friday, May 31, 2013 by:Scott Gargan
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Two of the jam band scene’s staple attractions — moe. and Gov’t Mule — will kick off the summer ‘Celebrity Series’ at Danbury’s Ives Concert Park this weekend.

The band moe. takes the stage on Saturday, June 1 while Gov’t Mule performs the following day, Sunday, June 2. Doors for both shows open at 4:30 p.m.; concerts start at 6 p.m. For tickets, call 800-745-3000 or go online.

Check out our q-and-a with .moe here.

The series continues with the iconic 86-year-old singer Tony Bennett on Saturday, July 13. Check out the full schedule for the series, below:

  • moe. (with the Wood Brothers) — Saturday, June 1, 4:30 p.m. gates / 6 p.m. show
  • Gov’t Mule with Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers — Sunday, June 2, 4:30 p.m. gates / 6 p.m. show
  • Tony Bennett — Saturday, July 13, 6:30 p.m. gates / 8 p.m. show The Specials (with Little Hurricane) — Tuesday, July 16, 5:30 p.m. gates / 7 p.m.
  • Summerland Tour 2013 Alternative Guitars Starring Everclear, Live, Filter and Sponge — Friday, July 19, 6:30 p.m. gates / 7:30 p.m. show
  • Brandi Carlile — Saturday, July 20, 6:30 p.m. gates / 8 p.m. show
  • Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion Radio Romance Tour 2013” — Thursday, July 25
  • Dropkick Murphy’s (with Swingin’ Utters) — Thursday, August 22, 6 p.m. gates / 7:30 p.m. show

 

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